Hurricane benefits update

Almost $112 million has been paid out in emergency food stamp benefits to victims of Hurricane Katrina, officials of the Department of Social Services said Wednesday.

Department spokeswoman Nanette Russell White said that the benefits have gone to almost 309,000 household affected by Katrina in 25 southeastern parishes.

She said plans are under way "to assist victims of Hurricane Rita in a similar manner to those impacted by Hurricane Katrina, '' if federal officials approve.

The emergency benefits may be available to residents of the parishes affected by Hurricane Rita as early as Saturday.

Agency Secretary Ann Williamson said the state has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service - which issues the food stamps -- to approve the request for Rita's victims in Acadia, Allen Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jeff Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne and Vermilion parishes.

Williamson said she anticipates a quick response from the federal agency.

White said that as of Wednesday, there were 45,384 evacuees from both hurricanes living temporarily in 345 shelters around the state. The number of evacuees living in out-of-state shelters was not given.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Labor has received 198,750 Katrina-related claims for unemployment insurance and disaster unemployment assistance. Labor officials said that 177,595 of the applications had been approved as of Wednesday.

The number of applications received from Rita victims was not available.

Meanwhile, National Guard officials said they have handed out more than 6.4 million ready-to-eat meals to victims of both hurricanes: more than 5 million to Katrina victims and more than 1.4 million to Rita victims.

Guard officials said their troops have rescued 4,200 citizens from Katrina's winds and waters and another 2,000 from Rita's.

Guard officials also said they have provided about 1.6 million bottles of water to Rita victims and 6 million bottles to Katrina victims.